Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Route 402 from north Titusville; 321-861-0667 -- This 220-square mile (140,000 acre) refuge hosts more than 22 threatened/endangered species including the 2,000-pound Florida manatee, eastern indigo snake, gopher tortoise and peregrine falcon, more than any other refuge in the United States. You will find up to 400 Manatees making the North Banana River home in the spring. The area teems with more than 31 species of mammals, 331 types of birds and 113 species of fish - over 500 species of wildlife in all. You can seek out the 1045 species of flora that are found here.
There is a six-mile self-guided driving tour and shaded boardwalks that weave through pine and oak hammocks. This is the second largest sanctuary in Florida. The Visitors Information Center provides exhibits, literature, rangers, outdoor educational activities and lecture programs. Program schedule.The Merritt Island Wildlife Association members are volunteers who help staff the information center, give interpretive tours, and help with refuge maintenance.

Canaveral National Seashore, Route 402 from North Titusville; 321-267-1110 -- Twenty four miles of undeveloped barrier island provide the pristine Atlantic beaches of Playalinda, Klondike and Apollo. Inland are the dune, marsh, and lagoon habitats for a tremendous variety of wildlife. It is a major destination for bird lovers. The beaches are known world-wide for excellent surfing and surf fishing. This is part of the largest sea turtle nesting area in the United States. More than 6,000 loggerheads, green seas and leatherbacks lay up to 600 eggs each on Brevard beaches from May - August. Guided tours, after sundown in season, let you witness these one ton endangered animals nesting. See our North Area Program schedule for the many activities that are available for the public in the New Smyrna Beach area. There are occasional programs in the Playalinda Beach, Titusville area.
PLAYALINDA BEACH - Titusville's beach! -- Swimming - sun bathing - surfing - fishing - birding - windsurfing - kayaking - hiking - horseback riding - tours - Jr. Rangers - nature study - spectacular sunrises - relaxing. The southern end of 24 beautiful miles of sand dunes, sand, and ocean. A national treasure! Details.

Enchanted Forest Sanctuary -- North side of Route 405 (444 Columbia Blvd.), 1/2 mile west of US Route 1, south of Titusville; 321-264-5185. A beautiful, safe place to enjoy a remarkable diversity of natural trails. Picnic Tables. Open: Tue. - Sun., from 9:00am to 5:00 pm; Closed Mondays. Guides are often available talk and/or walk with you and discuss how the remarkable diversity of the Enchanted Forest came to be. Wheel chair accessible trails. Special tours arranged for Schools, Scouts and other groups. Earth Day Festival each year near April 22nd. Volunteer Opportunities.

Parks in North Brevard  Brevard County's Parks & Recreation Department -- 321-264-5105 - operates 41 facilities in North Brevard. Four are large Community Centers. Two are Gymnasiums. Two have large Pavilions for major events. There are Playgrounds for Children; Picnic areas with Shelters; Walking trails; Swimming pools; Boat ramps; a Camping facility; Courts for Basketball, Racquetball, Tennis and Volleyball; Fields for Youth Football, Little League Baseball, Soccer and Softball. There are many classes for adults and children, and an active program for those with disabilities. There are nearby activities for everyone. You are invited to use them.

Sams House — In 1875 John H. Sams built the cabin which is considered the oldest stand home in Brevard County, FL. It is the Management and Education Center for the Brevard County Environmenatlly Endangered Lands Program's Pine Island Conservation Area. Historic and Nature walks and education.

Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area - 3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas, FL 32708; (407) 568-5893. -- 28,000-acres, with 19 miles of frontage on the St. Johns River. Recreational activities including hiking, primitive camping (reservations required), nature study, horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking and limited hunting with a special permit. It is recommended that you contact the reserve prior to your visit.

Indian River Lagoon; (321) 724-5400 -- Located in the transition zone of the temperate and sub--tropical climates, it is the most diversified estuary in the nation. It parallels the ocean for 160 miles and is home to more than 4,315 species of plants and animals, including the precious Florida manatee.

The Smithsonian Marine Station is a research center specializing in marine biodiversity and ecosystems of Florida. Research focuses on the Indian River Lagoon and the offshore waters of Florida's east central coast. Their website includes an extensive listing of species found in our lagoon, with some detailed descriptions.

The Marine Resources Council - People like you that care about the beauty of our Indian River Lagoon and want to help improve the quality of its ecosystems are the heart of the MRC.

Jungle Adventures, 26205 East Highway 50, Christmas, FL 32709: (407) 568-1354. A family attraction with lots of Alligators and live animals. Features include: wildlife shows, boat cruise, nature trails, Spanish frontier and Timucuan Indian village reproductions, and a bird aviary. They provide educational programs, have a gift shop and a cafe that features "Alligator Bites."

Grasshopper Airboat Ecotours - Ecotours on the grassy marshes of the St. Johns River and Lake Poinsett. See birds, alligators, other wildlife, and spectacular scenery on a personally guided tour.

Old Fashioned Airboat Rides - Wildlife like Alligators and Eagles, 90 Minute Private Day or Night Real Airboat Tours on the Marshes of the Scenic St. Johns River. Captain John: over 30 Years Experience.

Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral; (321) 783-7831 -- The Port has developed a wide variety of recreational facilities including biking, beaches, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, sailing, snorkeling, diving and, sailboarding. With three marinas, ten restaurants, private shops and public parks provide something for everyone. Premier, Canaveral and Carnival Cruise Lines depart daily for the Caribbean Islands, and the Disney ship will make its debut in 1998.

Cape Canaveral Lighthouse -- Located on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station restricted access grounds. The lighthouse grounds can be visited on a special Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex tour. The lighthouse is open every Wednesday and Thursday for the *Free* Air Force bus tour, and people can climb up to the fifth level. You can see the lighthouse from either Canaveral Harbor Road or from the beach at Cocoa Beach southward. Yvonne Thornton's lighthouse Photo Collection

Riverwalk Family Park, 5355 South US 1, Rockledge - Nature Center, and a nature boardwalk that begins near the pavilion with restrooms, winding through a natural Florida hammock to the Indian River Lagoon. Picnicking.

Brevard Zoo, North Wickham Road, east of I-95, Melbourne; (321) 254-9453 -- Opened in 1994, it is the only zoo between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach. It features a jet black jaguar. You can view 600-pound tapirs, giant anteaters and two-toed sloths from a shady tropical boardwalk. Brevard Zoo's "Paws On" -- The Animal Study Zone, provides a unique, one--of--a--kind interactive natural adventure where children and adults learn about animals through play and hands-on exhibits.

Florida Institute of Technology Botanical Gardens, FIT Melbourne Campus, (321) 768-8000 -- A one mile paved trail wends its way through over 300 species of palms, fern and other tropical foliage. An 1883 one-room schoolhouse, Brevard's oldest, has been relocated here.

Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area, Melbourne Beach; (321) 984-4852 -- Three miles of ocean beach are available for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. It is the only designated surfing area in Brevard County; and is the number one surfing destination in Florida, hosting several national surfing tournaments every year. Camping: a stone's throw from Sebastian Inlet and a short stroll to the Atlantic Beach. Small store; gifts; food; docking; canoe, kayak, jet ski, & power boat rentals (no gas); Ranger led boat tours (to Pelican Island). Considered one of the best fishing areas in the state of Florida. It is one of the most popular of all Florida State Parks.

Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay; (321) 952-3433 -- Walk through sand pines, saw palmettos and live oaks that emerge from ancient sand dunes created 120,000 years ago on a 4,000--foot boardwalk. This is a major stopover for spring and fall migratory birds.

Other organizations working to protect and preserve Wild Florida include:

Brevard Nature Alliance -- is committed to protecting and promoting our natural environment and all nature-based activities. Membership is open to all businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting our mission and conserving our unique environment for future generations.

SPACE and SCIENCE

Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex
Route 405 south of Titusville, 5 miles east of Route U.S. 1; 321-452-2121
Experience the glorious past, inspiring present and exciting future of the Amercan Space Program. Tour this working NASA facility and see where space shuttles launch, how history was made when man landed on the moon, and the future of space travel at the International Space Station.
Walk for 363 feet under an awesomly powerful Saturn V moon rocket. Discover some of the many spinoffs of the space program that make everyday life easier for all of us.
View Spectacular, large-format IMAX films that bring space closer than you have ever been before. Complete your visit by touring a full-scale shuttle replica and visiting the inspiring tribute to America's fallen astronauts, The Astronaut Memorial.Find on Map.

Space View Park -- Broad Street & the Indian River Lagoon -- The first and only Walk in the nation that honors America's astronauts as well as the men and women behind the scenes who helped America lead the world in space exploration. Enjoy the monuments and beautiful grounds. The best place to view Shuttle launches. Find on Map.

U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum -- 4 Main Street, Downtown Titusville -- A one-of-a-kind museum illustrating America's history in space exploration by displaying hundreds of rare photos, space patches and pins, space hardware, flight suits, shuttle tiles, bronzed handprints of Apollo and shuttle astronauts and miscellaneous memorabilia. Also included is a reading library of space-oriented books, magazine articles, documents and mission directories as well as video tapes. Find on Map.

U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame; Just west of Kennedy Space Center on SR 405 in Titusville, 45 minutes east of Orlando: (321) 269-6100.
Come live the human side of space at the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, complete with the sights, sounds and experiences of the famous astronauts who first ventured into the frontiers of space.
Explore a rare collection of astronaut artifacts and see remarkable displays, exhibits and tributes dedicated to the heroes. From Wally Schirra's Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft to stunning glass etchings that line the Hall of Heroes, the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments of astronauts everywhere.
Open 12:00PM to 7:00PM daily (except Christmas). Admission only: $22.00 adults; $18.00 children 3-11. Find on Map.

U.S. Space Walk of Fame, 4 Main Street, Downtown Titusville -- The U. S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation in cooperation with the city of Titusville is providing space exhibits along the river front commemorating Americas various space programs with special emphasis being given to the space workers themselves. Edging the Indian River Lagoon and overlooking Kennedy Space Center, the riverwalk preserves America's history in space through a progressive maze of memorabilia, interpretive plaques, public art, sculptures and bronze markers. The waterfront terrace of the riverwalk has become a favorite viewing platform during NASA and private rocket lift-offs. Find on Map.

Astronaut's Memorial, Kennedy Space Center; (321) 452-2121 -- The "Space Mirror" -- a National Memorial designed to honor the 16 astronauts who have given their lives for space exploration - the heroes' names are engraved in the 70,400-pound polished granite disk which rotates to mirror the movements of the sun.

Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center; (321) 452-2121 -- Apollo 11, Man's first landing on the moon, blasted off from this historic site on July 16, 1969, beginning a whole new quest toward the final frontier.

Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory, Cocoa; (321) 634-3732 -- Florida's largest planetarium and public access telescope. Featuring the world's most advanced astronomy teaching facilities. Three story high IWERRKS Motion Picture Theater. International Hall of Space Explorers.

Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa; 321-638-1000 -- This 16 acre complex was formed to explore Florida's most abundant energy resource, the sun. A library holds several thousand books and documents. Testing and evaluation of solar energy devices is performed. Study and experimentation with solar energy is encouraged.

Air Force Space and Missile Museum, The Air Force Space and Missile Museum at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station preserves both the hardware and the spirit of United State's ventures into space. The museum displays numerous missiles, rockets and related space equipment and is open daily. NASA/Delaware North Parks Service has a bus tour 7 days a week (launch schedule permitting) called "Cape Canaveral: Then and Now." The tour lasts about 2 1/2 hours and includes a stop at the museum, NASA's Launch Complex 5/6, and various other historic launch complexes at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. For more information about the tour call (321) 452-2121 or (321) 449-4322.

Museums and History

North Brevard Historical Museum, 301 South Washington Ave., Titusville; 321-269-3658 -- The museum displays photographs, furniture, clothing and artifacts that reflect the lifestyle of early Titusville and surrounding areas, including an 1877 Florida Star printing press, and hand prints of the original Mercury astronauts.

Harry T. Moore Homesite, Freedom Avenue, off Parker Street in Mims; 321-264-5105 -- Museum & Cultural Center. This is a memorial to Harry and Harriette Moore. They were the first (1951) active civil rights workers murdered in the modern black civil rights movement. Information is available on this site.The Moore Heritage Festival of the Arts and Humanities, February — Celebrating the contributions of pioneering civil rights leaders Harry and Harriette Moore. The Festival is a celebration of history, culture and contributions of African Americans.

The historic 1891 Pritchard House, 424 S. Washington Ave., Titusville. The Pritchard House is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture. It was built for Captain James Pritchard in 1891. It is completely furnished with period furniture, accessories and interesting collections. Tours conducted by costumed docents by appointment. The house was painted using historic colors. Gardens recognizing several of Titusville's founding families have been designed to accentuate the beauty of the house and provide charming spaces for gatherings and celebrations. The house is available for rentals for weddings, parties, meetings, special dinners, teas, etc.

Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, 2201 Michigan Avenue, Cocoa; (321)632-1830. -- Walk back in time. Experience Brevard County in its earliest form, including a remarkable reproduction of the Windover Dig which unearthed the remains of a 7000 year old Indian civilization that was found nearby. Excellent displays ranging from wildlife to seashells to household items of early settlers. A remarkable community resource. If you haven't been here, go! You'll be amazed at what you'll find in our own backyard. A 22 acre nature reserve showcases three ecosystems. Enjoy solitude in the Butterfly Garden.NOW! Museum Based Lesson Plans for Grades One Through Six

American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Drive, Titusville, FL 32780; 321-264-0911; policeinfo@aphf.org. The Nation's First Museum, Attraction and Memorial Honoring All Police In Federal, State, County and Local Departments. Exhibits, Memorabilia & Collectibles, Special Theatre Presentations, preserving law enforcement history. "With Exhibits, Memorabilia & Collectibles, Special Theatre Presentations. "We Honor Those Who Serve & Protect."
• Helicopter tours of the Kennedy Space Center area and the Indian River Lagoon.
• One of the nation's top indoor gun ranges. Shooting Leagues for men, women and co-ed teams.

Leopoldville Memorial -- On Christmas eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville and the division she was transporting was sunk off the coast of Cherbourg France while on the way to relieve the troops at the battle of Bastogne.

Commemorative Memorials -- Honoring the men and women who served in all of our nation's wars.

Challenger Memorial -- The City of Titusville's memorial to the victims of the Apollo and Challenger & Columbia Space Shuttle tragedies. A memorial service is held there in January. South west corner of Sand Point Park.

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery -- The new 318-acre cemetery in Mims, Fla., will serve the burial needs of more than 163,000 Veterans in the cemetery's service area for the next 100 years.

Titusville, Florida Walking Tour - Take a virtual tour of the panels that mark the sites of Titusville's early history. Then walk the real thing and visualize oyr town in the late 1800's. The walk starts near the Gemini Monument and ends just south of City Hall.

Historic Downtown Titusville; 321-269-7363 -- Olde downtown Titusville's Main Street is a National Historic District and a Main Street City. Much of the original downtown has been preserved. Ask for the River Center Association walking and driving tour map.

Indian River Historical Cruise: From Sailing Ships to Space Ships., Cruise discontinued. Interesting info on website. -- Voyage back into the 1800s on a "Living History" cruise along Titusville, Florida's waterfront narrated by the character of Capt. Richard Paddison. From sailing ships to space ships. Seminole indians, Confederate blockade runners, steamboats and pioneers.

Titusville Art League, 1421 Draa Road, Titusville, FL 32782-6133; (321)268-2147. TAL sponsors several art shows in the community, provides art for public places, holds classes in many art media, and promotes the arts in the area. Poets & Painters brings artists and poets together to write and paint to each other's works.

Downtown Titusville Art Walk, Downtown galleries have organized "Art Walks" on the 3rd Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m. encouraging participants to visit each of the galleries. At the end of the evening, a gift basket will be given to a lucky visitor.